Nobody can deny the derby tension when United face Man City and Liverpool encounter Everton.

But the Reds have to go to work on a Monday morning and look Blues-supporting colleagues in the eye - sometimes even family members when they get back from the match.

It takes the edge off the aggressive bragging and bile.

But that's just not the case when United and Liverpool meet, and here's why...

LIVERPOOL V MAN UTD FACTS

Only nine players have transferred directly between the great clubs - and nobody since Phil Chisnall (pictured) moved to Liverpool in 1964.

Ryan Giggs (48) has made more appearances in the clashes than any other player.

George Wall, Sandy Turnbull (both United) and Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) have notched up nine goals in games between the sides.

The merchants of Manchester were none too pleased with their trade import and export fees, leading to the opening of the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894.

The newly-built waterway bypassed Liverpool's port, leading to huge job losses on Merseyside.

Just three months after the canal opened the two clubs - with United then known as 'Newton Heath' - faced off in a play-off match that saw the Manchester club relegated to the second tier.

So began a loathing that never waned.

Both clubs have gone through different periods in possession of North-West bragging rights.

Liverpool's ten titles in 16 years between 1973 and 1988 allowed them to assume the mantle of the biggest club in the country.

"My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f*****g perch. And you can print that.”

Sir Alex Ferguson

But that began to change when Sir Alex Ferguson ended 25 years of Red Devils hurt by finally bossing United to their ninth league triumph in 1994.

Twenty six years and 12 United Premier League titles since Liverpool last finished kings of England, there's no doubt who's held those bragging rights over the last two decades - even despite United's recent struggle for trophies.

After clinching the 19th of United's 20 titles and going one past their rivals' haul in the process, Fergie famously declared his joy at "knocking Liverpool right off their f*****g perch".

The Merseysiders would no doubt point to their five European Cups - two more than United have won.

After 224 games battles between the clubs, United's trip down the M62 on Monday night should prove as feisty as any.

Reuters

Steven Gerrard receives a red for a studs-up tackle on Ander Herrera

OTHER INTERCITY RIVALRIES

Portsmouth vs Southampton

Distance between stadiums: 20 miles

Another hatred forged over industry.

Historian Genevieve Bailey explained: "After Titanic sank in 1912, sailors from Southampton refused to crew her sister ship Olympic, due to the lack of lifeboats.

"Dockers from Portsmouth agreed to take the place of their Southampton counterparts."

This infuriated the Southampton workers - and that was 93 years before Harry Redknapp jumped ship BACK to Pompey!

The Southampton City Union Men earned Saints fans the nickname 'Scummers' to Portsmouth fans.

Pompey are knows as 'Skates' to Saints supporters, picking up the dismissive moniker for sailors due to their Royal Navy base.

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Harry Redknapp left Pompey for rivals Saints... and then went back again

Newcastle vs Sunderland

Distance between stadiums: 13 miles

No-one had kicked a ball before these two hated each other.

Newcastle backed the Royalists while Sunderland was Parliamentarian during the English Civil War (1642-1651).

With both heavily relying on the shipping and ship building industries, industrial competition raged for centuries to come.

Nou Camp welcome Matt

USE YOUR HEAD

Ryan Giggs identifies the one flaw preventing Daniel Sturridge from being a world class player

Crystal Palace vs Brighton

Distance between stadiums: 45 miles

Originally this one was personality driven.

Terry Venables and Alan Mullery fought each other for the Spurs armband as players and their rivalry continued in the dug-outs as managers.

Both clubs made it out of the old Third Division in 1977, but five heated league and cups games along the way that season - between Palace’s Venables and Brighton’s Mullery - sparked the clubs' animosity.

Muller later said: "I think it was probably because I got the Tottenham captaincy before him.

"I'm sure Terry wanted to be captain but Bill Nicholson gave it to me and he was made vice-captain. I can't really give you any other reason."

News Group Newspapers Ltd

Terry Venables and Alan Mullery... the best of enemies

Chesterfield vs Mansfield

Distance between stadiums: 15 miles

Not one to feature on Match of the Day any time soon but this two despise one another.

While Derbyshire's miners held out until the end, their Nottinghamshire counterparts went back to work during the strike of 1984-85, leaving communities torn apart.

And the bile-filled hatred and calls of 'scabs' from Derbyshire’s Chesterfield towards Nottinghamshire’s Mansfield then moved from the picket lines and onto the terraces.